Prefabricated thermal insulation panel



April 5, 1966 M. c. BECHERER 3,243,931

PREFABRICATED THERMAL INSULATION PANEL Filed Nov. 6. 1961 2 Sheets-Sneet 2 United States Patent 3,243,931 PREFABRICATED THERMAL INSULATION PANEL Maximilian C. Bechcrer, Grosse Pointe, Mich, assignor to The Detroit Edison Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 6, 1961, Ser. No. 150,235 7 Claims. (Cl. 52-483) The invention relates to a method of and means for insulating medium and high temperature heating ducts or the like and refers more specifically to pre-insulated building panels and a method of installing the preinsulated panels on medium and high temperature heating ducts permitting diferential expansion of the heating ducts and preinsulated panels in a plurality of directions.

In the past insulation of boilers, heating ducts, and similar apparatus has been accomplished by a plurality of separate operations. The insulation was first applied to the structure to be insulated and the insulated structure was later covered by preformed panels or similar lagging supported independently of the insulation and insulated structure. Differential movement due to different expansion and contraction of the lagging and member insulated caused by different materials and difierent temperatures thereof has therefore been possible.

Such insulating procedures are both time consuming and expensive in that they require separate individual handling of the lagging and insulating material usually by separate contractors requiring separate scaffolding for performing their work at different times. In addition when the lagging supports have been secured to the structure to be insulated the supports have hindered the work of the insulation installing contractor, thus increasing the cost of installation of the insulation. Conversely if sepa rate supports for the lagging are provided they must be provided at additional expense.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a preinsulated panel for installation on medium and hi h temperature heating ducts or similar structures.

Another object is to provide means for attaching a preinsulated panel to a medium or high temperature heating duct or similar structure which permits differential expansion between the panel and structure to which it is attached in a plurality of directions.

Another object is to provide a method or installing preinsulated building panels on medium or high temperature heating ducts or similar structures so that differential expansion between the building panels and structure is permitted.

Another object is to provide means for securing a preinsulated building panel having male and female mating longitudinal edges to a heating duct or similar structure comprising a clip having an open returned end fitting over the male edge of one panel, sandwiched between the female edge of the adjacent panel and secured between said panels, the other end of the clip being bifurcated and provided with cylindrical edge portions, a bar secured to said structure in spaced relation thereto positioned between the cylindrical edge portions of the bifurcated end of the clip and fastening means extending through the cylindrical edge portions of the bifurcated end of the clip on each side of the bar and between the bar and structure.

Another object is to provide means for securing a pre- Patented Apr. 5, 1965 ice insulated building panel to a heating duct or similar structure as set forth above wherein the space between the cylindrical edge portions of the bifurcated end of the clips is substantially greater than the similar dimension of the bar whereby differential longitudinal movement of the building panel relative to the structure is permitted.

Another object is to provide means for securing a preinsulated panel to a heating duct or similar structure as set forth above including means for limiting the movement of panels longitudinally of said bar in installations wherein the panels and bar are inclined or wherein vibration ends to cause the panels to slide in one direction on the bar.

Another object is to provide means for securing a preinsulated building panel to a heating duct or similar structure as set forth above and preinsulated flashing means for closing the ends of the panels and insulating structural members used in conjunction with the duct which preinsulated flashing members include means for permitting expansion thereof relative to the heating duct in a plurality of different directions.

Another object is to provide a preinsulated building panel for use in structure as set forth above wherein the outer surface of the building panel has a plurality of inwardly open ribs therein and insulation is secured to the inner surface of the building panels.

Another object is to provide a preinsulated panel as set forth above wherein the insulation is secured to the inner surface thereof by means of members secured to the inner surface of the panels extending through the insulation and clips provided on the ends thereof to engage the insulating material directly or in the case of soft blanket insulation to engage the reinforced backing material.

Another object is to provide a method of and means for installing preinsulated building panels on medium or high temperature heating ducts or similar structure which is simple, economical and efficient.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical section of a portion of a heating duct having preinsulated building panels secured thereto by the means and method of the invention which section is taken substantially on the line 11 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 2 is a vertical section of the insulated heat duct illustrated in FIGURE 4 taken substantially along the line 22 in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 3 is another vertical section of the insulated heat duct shown in FIGURE 4 and taken substantially on the line 3-3 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal section of the insulated heat duct shown in FIGURE 3 taken substantially on the line 4-4 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a clip constructed in accordance with the invention secured to a panel hanger bar illustrating means for limiting movement of the clip longitudinally of the bar.

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section of a portion of a heating duct having preinsulated building panels secured thereto by the means and method of the invention and further showing preinsulated flashing in conjunction therewith for insulating a structural member secured to the duct having means for permitting expansion thereof in a plurality of directions relative to the duct.

7 FIGURE 7 is a section through the heating duct and insulation therefor illustrated in FIGURE 6 taken substantially on the line 77 in FIGURE 6.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawing, one embodiment of the invention will now be disclosed.

In accordance with the invention the preinsulated building panels 10 are installed on the wall of a medium or high temperature heating duct 12 by means of the clips 14, offset bars 16 and nails 18. In installation the offset 7 bars 16 are secured to the duct 12, the panels 10 are held in position on the duct 12, as shown in FIGURES 13, the clips 14 are clamped between the male and female edges of adjacent panels, as shown best in FIGURE 4 with the bifurcated end positioned on opposite sides of a bar 16 and a fastening member such as nail 18 is passed through the cylindrical edge portions 22 and 24 of the clip 26 and between the bar 16 and duct 12, as shown in FIGURES 1-31 Since the bifurcated end 20 has a wider grip or space between the adjacent ends of the cylindrical edge portions 22 and 24 thereof than the width of the bar 16 the panels 10 are supported for differential expansion with respect to the duct 12 in a plurality of directions.

More specifically the duct 12 may be constructed of steel plates welded together forming an enclosure for the purpose of conducting heated gases between remote locations. Duct 12 is supported by convenient framing members, such as frame member 27, and is required to be insulated to prevent uneconomical loss of heat therefrom. Further the insulation applied to the duct 12 must be protected from dirt, rain and so forth whereby it is necessary to apply sheet metal covering or lagging thereover.

Duct 12 is subjected to high temperatures which may be as great as 1000 FQThe sheetrnetal skin or lagging for the duct 12 is not of course subjected to such high temperatures and therefore expands a different amount from the duct 12. The different expansion is accentuated since it is common to use dissimilar metals'having different coefiicients of expansion for the duct and lagging. Provision must therefore be made for securing the lagging to the duct 12 to provide for the different expansion without opening of the'seams of the lagging or destroying the connection between the lagging and duct. 7

In accordance with the present invention the insulation 26 and metal lagging 28 are provided in a single pre insulated panel 10 adapted to be installed on duct 12.

Panel 10, as. best shown in FIGURE 4, comprises an elongated metal lagging sheet 28 having a male rib 30 at one side thereof and a female rib 32 along the opposite side. The sheet 28 is further provided with spaced apart inwardly open longitudinally extending ribs 34, as shown best in FIGURE 4. a

The insulation 26, as shown in FIGURE 4, is secured to the lagging sheet 28 by means of insulation pins 36 secured to the inner surface of, the lagging sheet 28 by welding or other convenient means and clips 38 adapted to fit over the ends of the insulation pins 36 after the insulation 26 has been impaled thereon, as shown in FIG- URE 4. Thus the insulation 26 may be installed on lagging sheet 28 at a location remote from a building site and subsequently installed on a duct 12 or similar structure without the necessity of first securing the insulation to the structureand later individually covering the insulationwith lagging as has previously been the practice.

For the installation of the individual panels 10 on a duct 12, bars 16 are secured to the duct 12 in spaced apart horizontal rows. It will be. particularly noted that the bars 16 have offset portions 40rwhich'are fastened directly to the duct 12 and that the major portion of the bars 16 are in spaced relation to the duct 12 a In a particular installation it has'been found that with panels 10 up to twenty feet long eighteen inches wide and supporting thermal insulation up to four inches thick that the spacing of bars 16 should not exceed a six feet maximum vertical spacing nor should the distance between the bars and the end of the panel be more than six feet. Maximum spacing of the bars should be reduced to four feet on horizontal bottom surfaces.

The clips 14 are provided with an open return end 42 adapted to fit over the male side of a panel as illustrated best in FIGURE 4. The other ends 20 of clips 14 are bifurcated as previously indicated and have cylindrical side portions 22 and 24 adapted to fit over the bars 16 in installation, as shown best in FIGURES 13.

It will be particularly noted that the bifurcated ends 7 20 of the clips 14 provide clearance to permit movement of the clips 14 transversely of the bar 16 with the bifurcated end positioned over the bar 16, as shown in FlG- V URES l-3. Thus differential longitudinal expansion of the installed panels 10 relative to the duct 12 is permitted when the panels 10 are secured to the bars 16'by clips 14 movable with panels 10.

Diflerential expansion longitudinally of the bar 16 relative to the panels 10 or, in other words, transversely of the panels 10 relative to the bar 16, is then permitted due to the bars 16 being offset from the surfaceof the duct 12. The bifurcated end 20 of the clips 14 slide along the bars 16 to permit the differential expansion transversely of the panels 16.

Thus it will be seen that differential expansion both longitudinally and horizontally of the panels 10 relative to the duct 12 or for that matter in any direction in the plane of the panels and duct is possible by installation of panels 10 on the duct 12 by the means set forth above. Further, it will be readily apparent that installation of the preinsulated panels 10 on the duct 12 by means of clips 14 is extremely simple and economical.

Where the panels 10 are inclined from a vertical direction and the support bars are therefore inclined from a horizontal direction or where vibration could cause the panels to slide in one direction thereby tending to disengage the male and female ribs of adjacent panels, it becomes necessary to limit movement and therefore expansion of the panels transversely of the panels. This is accomplished by weldinga slotted Nelson stud 39 to the support bars at the location of each clip 14 and engaging the clip in the slot 41 in the stud as shown in FIGURE 5. v The slotted stud 39 will limit the movement of theclip 14 transversely of the panel to a'predetermined amount, without limiting the'expansion longitudinally of the panel. 7

While itis believed that the steps in the methodof V installing the panels 10 on the duct 12 will be evident from the foregoing, the method will be considered in more detail. In' installing the preinsulated panels 10 on a duct 12, the offset bars 16 are first welded brotherwise conveniently attached to the duct 12 at the offset portions 40 thereof. is not required since the position of the clips 14 relative to the panels 10 may be varied toaccommodate approximately spaced bars 16. V Panel 10 is positioned adjacent the duct 12 as shown in FIGURES 1-3.

male edge 30 of the panel 10 and the bifurcated 'end 20 of the clip '14 extends on both sides of a bar 16.

7 With the clip, panel and bar so related, a nail or similar Exact spacing between the bars.16

A clip 14 is then positioned so that V r the open returned end 42 thereof is placed overthe and between i formed thereby by convenient means such as screws, nuts, and sealing washers or tight button punches. In general, the more secure fastening means, such as screws and nuts, should be used at the top clip of a panel and on inclined hanging surfaces.

The method may then be repeated on subsequent panels until an entire duct 12 is covered. If desired the ends of panels.'10 and structural members such as members 27 maybe finished with the usual flashing 44 and roofing material 46 as shown in FIGURES l and 3. However, it is preferred to provide insulated fiashings over structural members at the ends of panels and at corners similar to that shown in FIGURES 6 and 7.

As shown in FIGURES 6 and 7 the flashing 50 is formed to close the ends of the panels 10 on the opposite sides of the horizontally extending structural member 27. Flashing 50 is preinsulated with insulating material 26 similar to that with which the panels 10 are insulated. If necessary pins 36 and clips 38 may be used to secure the insulating material 26 to the flashing 50. The flashing may be provided with longitudinally extending folds 54 therein where desired to permit expansion thereof relative to the heating duct 12 and structural member 27 in one direction. The flashing 50 is supported on duct 12 by the angle members 56 attached to the duct 12 by convenient means such as welding. The flashing 50 is secured to the angle members 56 by studs 58 which studs are fastened to the angles 56 and extend through elongated slots 60 in the flashing 59 as shown best in FIGURE 7. The elongated slots 60 in conjunction with the studs 58 permit differential expansion between the flashing 50 and the heating duct 12 in a second direction. Insulating spacers 62 are provided between the flashing 50 and the heating duct 12 as shown best in FIG- URE 6.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed it will be understood that modifications thereof are contemplated. Thus while a specific insulated flashing has been particularly described for closing the ends of the panels 1:) and insulating a structural member 27 similar structures may be provided at roof edges, corners and elsewhere as needed. It is therefore the intention to include all such modifications as suggest themselves from the above disclosure within the scope of the invention.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the improved method of and means for insulating heating ducts or the like in such full, clear, concise and exact terms as to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. Insulating construction for high temperature heating ducts and similar structures comprising a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontally extending substantially parallel elongated bars intermittently secured to the structure in spaced relation with respect thereto, a plurality of elongated preinsulated panels positioned adjacent the bars and extending transversely thereof, clips comprising substantially flat vertically positioned rectangular members extending perpendicularly outwardly from said structure having a bifurcated end adjacent said structure with vertically spaced apart portions terminating in cylindrical parts extending on both sides of a bar, linear holding means extending through the vertically aligned cylindrical parts of the bifurcated end of the clips and between the bar and structure for loosely connecting the clips to the bars, means at the other end of said clips for rigidly securing the panels to the clips, said panels being provided with longitudinally extending open returned ribs to permit lateral expansion and contraction of the panels with longitudinal expansion and contraction of the bars and means for anchoring the clips to the bars against movement longitudinally of the bars.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means for anchoring the clips against movement longitudinally of the bars comprises a plate extending perpendicularly to and secured to the bar including a slot therein receiving said clip.

3. Insulating construction for high temperature heating ducts and similar structures comprising a plurality of vertically spaced apart horizontally extending substantially parallel elongated bars intermittently secured to the structure in spaced relation with respect thereto, a plurality of elongated preinsulated panels positioned adjacent the bars and extending transversely thereof, clips comprising substantially flat vertically positioned rectangular members extending perpendicularly outwardly from said structure having a bifurcated end adjacent said structure with vertically spaced apart portions terminating in cylindrical parts extending on both sides of a bar, linear holding means extending through the vertically aligned cylindrical parts of the bifurcated end of the clips and between the bar and structure for loosely connecting the clips to the bars and means at the other end of said clips for rigidly securing the panels to the clips comprising male and female adjacent edges on the panels interfitting to secure the panels together and an open returned portion at said other end of each of the clips extending over the male edge of one panel with the female edge of the adjacent panel extending over the open returned end of the clip and the male edge of the one panel over which the other end of the clip extends.

4. Insulating construction for high temperature heating ducts and similar structures comprising a plurality of spaced apart horizontally extending parallel elongated bars intermittently secured to the structure in spaced relation thereto, a plurality of elongated preinsulated panels positioned adjacent the bars and extending transversely thereof having interfitting adjacent edges, clips having one end sandwiched between the interfitting edges of the panels fixedly securing the clips to the panels in predetermined positions, said clips each having another bifurcated end with aligned openings in separate portions thereof extending over a bar with the bar between the separate portions of the bifurcated end and holding means extending through said openings and between said bar and structure for loosely connecting said clips to the bars for permitting differential expansion between the structure and panels longitudinally of the panels and means for securing the clips in fixed positions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the bars including plates rigidly secured to said bars extending perpendicularly therefrom having slots therein receiving a portion of the bifurcated end of said clips.

5. Structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the panels further include open returned longitudinally extending ribs for permitting transverse expansion and contraction of the panels.

6. Structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the distance between the portions of the bifurcated end or a clip is greater than the dimension of a bar in a direction between said portions.

7. Structure as set forth in claim 4 wherein the panels are provided with male and female adjacent interfitting edges to secure the panels together and said one end of each of the clips is open returned and extends over the male edge of one panel and the female edge of the adjacent panel extends over the open returned end of the clip positioned over the male edge of the one panel and further including means securing the adjacent edges of the panels and one end of the clip in assembly.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,105 10/1932 Wender 50218 2,324,710 7/1943 Livar 189-34 (Qther references on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,019,363 2/1962 Kearns 189 434 2 412 404 12 194 Ja k o 139 34 3,031,044 1962 Stitt 6 81 {4 g 33 3 7 FGREIGN PATENTS rown 2,793,725 5/1957 Allison 1s9 34 5 322731 1958 Italy' 7 2,833,001 5/1958 Montefalco 20-4 I 7 2,841,253 7 7/1958 cefiman et a1 189 34 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Plzmary Examrmer. v 7. 2 900 77 3 1959 e 2 15 WILLIAM I. MUSHAKE, JACOB L. NACKENOFF,

7 2,910,151 10/1959 Millstine 18934 v EXllfliiH'erS.

3,012,639 12/1961 Pavlecka 18934 

1. INSULATING CONSTRUCTION FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE HEATING DUCTS AND SIMILAR STRUCTURES COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED APART HORIZONTALLY EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL ELONGATED BARS INTERMITTENTLY SECURED TO THE STRUCTURE IN SPACED RELATION WITH RESPECT THERETO, A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED PREINSULATED PANELS POSITIONED ADJACENT THE BARS AND EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY THEREOF, CLIPS COMPRISING SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT VERTICALLY POSITIONED RECTANGULAR MEMBERS EXTENDING PERPENDICULARLY OUTWARDLY FROM SAID STRUCTURE HAVING A BIFURCATED END ADJACENT SAID STRUCTURE WITH VERTICALLY SPACED APART PORTIONS TERMINATING IN CLYINDRICAL PARTS EXTENDING ON BOTH SIDES OF A BAR, LINEAR HOLDING MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH THE VERTICALLY ALIGNED CYLINDRICAL PARTS OF THE BIFURCATED END OF THE CLIPS AND BETWEEN THE BAR AND STRUCTURE FOR LOOSELY CONNECTING THE CLIPS TO THE BARS, MEANS AT THE OTHER END OF SAID CLIPS FOR RIGIDLY SECURING THE PANELS TO THE CLIPS, SAID PANELS BEING PROVIDED WITH LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING OPEN RETURNED RIBS TO PERMIT LATERAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE PANELS WITH LONGITUDINAL EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION OF THE BARS AND MEANS FOR ANCHORING THE CLIPS TO THE BARS AGAINST MOVEMENT LONGITUDINALLY OF THE BARS. 